In the latest round of TikTok controversies, Albania has decided to ban the platform for a year as part of efforts to curb youth violence.
The news was announced on Thursday after Albanian lawmakers agreed to shut down TikTok for 12 months citing safety concerns for young children.
Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu confirmed the news, adding that it was a “temporary measure” to avoid the negative impacts of the site. She added that authorities had met with some 65,000 parents who said they were in favor of restricting or even banning the use of TikTok.
Manastirliu said government authorities had requested that TikTok include the Albanian language in the platform as well as parental control and age verification filters, among others.
The decision to pull the plug on the popular social media site came after an increase late last year in violent incidents among teens in the country. In December, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama had expressed the intention to take action.
Opposition parties in the country have not approved of the decision. A national protest against the site’s closure has been announced for March 15.
